Securing apparatus



Dec. 31, 1963 w. KIWI SECURING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1962 WALTER K/W/ BY a ATTORNEY w. KIWI 3,115,734

SECURING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 31, 1963 Filed Aug. 7, 1.962

WALTER K/W/ aw A Q aw N 6R ATTORNEY United States Patent C) i 3,115,734- SECURING APPARATUS Walter Kiwi, Torresdale Manor, Pa, assignor to R. H. Hood Company, Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Aug. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 215,358 6 Claims. (ill. 53135) This invention relates to securing apparatus.

In my prior Patent No. 3,001,346 there is shown apparatus in which a cord is placed in surrounding relation to an article, such as a bundle of flat pieces, the cord has its ends secured together by a metal band or clip which is formed from a flat strip of metal at the location of application to the cord ends, and the cord is severed subsequent to the application of the metal band or clip.

In my prior application for Letters Patent Serial No. 90,568, filed February 20, 1961, now Patent No. 3,070,- 929, there are disclosed improvements particularly related to the die members and to an improved clip formation.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for forming the metal clip or band as aforesaid which includes an improved forming die for the clip.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide improved clip forming and applying apparatus in which metal in strip form is fed to a predetermined location and, in timed relation, is formed into a clip, is provided with a flared portion, is severed from the strip, is applied in gripping relation to the cord ends, and is positively removed from the dies.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in apparatus for applying a cord around a bundle or package and applying a clip around the ends of the cord, for positive removal of the clip to avoid fouling of the dies.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in securing apparatus in which metal in strip form is fed to a predetermined location, and is formed by dies into a clip, a die having a longer life but which is inexpensive and easily replaced.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in securing apparatus for applying a cord around a bundle or package, and forming and securing a clip around the ends of the cord, a readily accessible quickly replaceable clip end curling die.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of the present invention showing the needle, the contiguous portions of the frame, and the die covers, parts being broken away to show the interior construction;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, with the die covers removed and showing the forming and curling dies;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 33 of FIG. 2 but with the covers in place;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the curling die and the clip removing pawl; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the preferred mounting of the curling die.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

3,115,734 Patented Dec. 31, 1963 Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the structure there shown is particularly suitable for use in a machine of the type shown in my prior Patent No. 3,001,346, but also has broader capabilities of use. The machine includes a frame P which carries strip metal feeding, clip forming, clip cutting off and applying apparatus, cord end receiving and retaining devices, cord severing or cutting mechanism, and actuating mechanism for the foregoing together with a cord supplying needle 20 for the delivery and positioning of cord or twine T for wrapping.

The clip K, for gripping and retaining the parallel ends of the cord T, is shown in my prior patent and application referred to above, and in FIG. 5, and includes a single piece of metal with a back having a flared portion with side arms initially straight but subsequently flared and curled in surrounding and gripping engagement with parallel portions of the cord T.

In order to provide a supply of cord positioned as desired, a vertically reciprocable needle 20 can be utilized, as in my prior patent and prior application referred to above, and has a head 21 with a tube 22 extending therefrom and carried by a needle actuator 23. The needle actuator 23 has a hollow tube 24 through which the cord T extends from any suitable source such as a package of twine or cord (not shown) at a convenient location.

The frame F is also provided with a suitable supplying and feeding mechanism (not shown) for delivering an elongated metal strip 26 from which the clips K are formed and cut to a guide slot 25.

At the upper or exit end of the slot 25, a vertically disposed former die 30 is provided having a central portion with a face 31 for forming the back of the clip K and side faces 32 for initial formation of the side arms and has an upper face 33 for the shear severing of a partially formed clip.

A reciprocatory actuating pin 54 extends upwardly through an opening 56 in the frame F and into actuating engagement with upper and lower clip dies 60 and 61.

The lower clip die 61 has an end cut out with a central portion 63 and side portions 64 for pressing the strip 26 against the former die 30 and bending the sides of the strip 26 to U-shaped positions for clip formation, and has an ejector or clip separating pin 66 resiliently urged by a spring 67.

The upper die plate 60 has an end cut out with a central portion for cutting off the central portion 16 of the previously formed clip K by a shearing action across the top face 33 of the former die 30 and has side faces 209. The upper die plate 60 has, along the upper margins of the central portion 65 and side faces 209, recesses 210 and 211 to aid in further forming of the clip K.

Supporting bars 68 are provided slidably mounted in the frame F (see FIG. 2) and have upper faces 69 supporting the sides of the clip K as it is advanced for clenching. Springs '70 on spring holding pins 70a and abutting against outward projections 71 permit the forward and return movement of the supporting bars 68 as required.

The frame F has pivotally mounted therein a horizontal pivot pin 212 on which a former lever 213 is pivotally mounted. The former lever 213 at one end thereof preferably has mounted thereon a flange former 214 having end and side bevels 216 which coact with the recesses 216 and 211.

The upper die plate 60, at a predetermined location, has a cam block 217 mounted therein for engagement with the lever 213. The distribution of the weight of the former lever 213 is preferably such that a preponderance is to the left of the pivot pin 212 so that the flange former 214 is normally retracted but can be moved down- 3 wardly by the engagement of the cam block 217 and lever cam 213.

The frame F, in spaced relation to the former die 36, has spaced clip supports 219 and 221 and thereabove and supported thereby a curling die adapter or die retainer plate 23%) forming part of an additional die member which at one end has the enlarged spherical end 231 of an adjusting screw 78 mounted therein. The adjusting screw '78 is in threaded engagement in a clamping bracket 232 carried by the frame F. A tightening or clamping screw 228 is provided for tightening the bracket 232 and retaining the screw 73 in adjusted position. The adapter or die retainer plate 230 at the other end has a circular cylindrical opening 233 from which a slot 234 extends for the reception of complemental shank portions 229 of a curling die 235. The die 235 is preferably made as an investment casting, has shoulders 236 for engagement with the ends of the plate 234 on each side of the slot 234, and hascurved end face portions 77 for guiding the ends of the clip K toward each other and in curled relation to parallel portions of the cord T. Side wing portions 137 are provided for initiating the turning of the side portions of the clip K towards their curled positions.

The frame F, between the curling die 235 and the supporting bar 63 on one side has a pawl 240 mounted thereon and carried on a pin 241. The upper die plate 60 has a horizontal slot 242 along one side thereof for accomodation of the pawl 24% and the side wing portions 237.

A spring 243 normally urges the pawl 240 to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 but permits movement in a clockwise direction to permit movement of the clip K towards the right for clenching. The pawl 24% extends across at least part of the rear of the clip K after the clip has been moved past the pawl 240 so that the pawl 24% prevents return or retraction of the clip K whether or not the clenching of'the same is completed. The upper die plate 60 is thus kept free from an undesired clip K which would interfere with subsequent forming.

Above the adapter plate 230 and the curling die 235, an upperdie cover plate 79 is provided having down wardly extending hooked clamp fingers 245 engaged over horizontal clamp pins 246. Retainer screws 247 can also engage the cover plate 79 and hold it in position. Above the upper die plate 60 a cover plate 221 can be provided held by screws 248.

A flange former cover 249, in partial overlapping relation to the plate 221 and preferably of resilient material, such asrubber, is provided with a retainer lever 250 pivoted thereto by pins 251. The lever 25% has downwardly extending end hooks 252 for engagement with horizontal clamp pins 253. Detent balls 254 urged by springs 255 aid in holding the lever 25% in clamped position.

The frame F has an opening 9% therein for the reception of the needle head 21 upon its downward movement.

Structure is provided for retaining the cord T after severing so that the needle 20 may be impelled upwardly to provide a cord for the next binding operation. The structure for this purpose can comprise that shown and described in my prior Patent No. 3,001,346.

Suitable cord cutting mechanism can also be provided as shown in my prior patent and suitable control mechanism such as that shown in my prior patent is preferably also provided.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

The cord T will be directed with respect to the bundle or article to be secured in the manner previously indicated, and disposed below, in front of, across the top and down behind the bundle or article.

Upon downward movement of the needle 2th the needle actuator 23 urges the cord T into engagement with the article thereby reducing the slack and permitting of securing the cord T in tight condition on the bundle and at a corner thereof.

During the downward movement of the needle 255 the dies 60 and 61 are in retracted position. When the needle A head 21 is in its lowermost position the actuating pin 54 moves the lower die 61 to a position to move the side faces thereof to form the side arms of the clip K and simultaneously cut off by advance of the upper die 60 across the face 33 a previously partially formed but unsevered clip K.

As the upper die 60 advances toward the cut off position, and before the severing has been commenced, the cam pin 217 engages the lever cam 218 thereby moving tie former lever 213 to bring the flange former 214 into engagement with the upper margins of the partially formed clip K and force these margins against the recesses 21d and 211 to provide the flange.

As the clip K is severed it is supported by the upper faces of the clip supports 219 and 220 and is advanced to a clenching position as directed by the faces 77 of the curling die 235.

As the clip K is advanced towards the die 235 and before it reaches that die it moves past the pawl 244) which swings to permit the passage and then returns, urged by the spring 243, to prevent the retraction of the clip K.

As the clip K is advanced towards the die 235 the side wing portions 237 initiate the curling and clenching of the side portions of the clip. The curling and clenching of the clip K is completed by the curved end faces 77.

The gripping of the cord T, shearing of the parallel cords contiguous to the clip K, return of the dies 60 and 61 to their initial positions, and movement of the needle 26 can be effected as before.

If at any time by reason of wear it is desired to replace the curling die 235 access thereto can readily be had upon removal of the flange former cover 249 and the die cover plate 79, the old curling die 235 removed by being raised out of place, and a new curling die 235 dropped into position (see FIG. 6).

I claim:

1. Securing apparatus for applying and securing a cord in encircling relation to an article comprising members for partially forming clips from strip material and applying said clips to parallel cord portions including dies having portions for forming said strip material into U-shape and portions for severing partially formed clips from the strip material, an additional die member for curling the free ends of the partially formed clip into gripping engagement with parallel cord portions and a member interposed between first dies and said additional die member for positively separating the clip from said first dies.

2. Securing apparatus for applying and securing a cord in encircling relation to an article comprising members for successively partially forming clips from strip material and applying said partially formed clips to parallel cord portions including dies having portions for forming the strip material into U-shape and portions for severing partially formed clips from the strip material, an additional die member for curling the free ends of the partially formed clip into gripping engagement with the parallel cord portions, and a member for permitting linear advance of and preventing retraction of the clip by said first dies.

3. Securing apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said last member comprises a pawl.

4. Securing apparatus as defined in claim 2 in which said last member comprises apawl, and said first mentioned dies have a horizontal slot for the reception of said pawl.

5. Securing apparatus for applying and securing a cord in encircling relation to an article comprising members for successively partially forming clips from strip material and applying said partially formed clips to parallel cord portions including a first die member having a vertically extending face and vertical side faces extending there from, a second die member horizontally movable with respect to said first die member and having portions for forming said strip into U-shape and portions for severing said formed strip, said second die member having a References Qitcd in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hills d. Apr. 9, 1872 Abrams Oct. 8, 1912 Smith Sept. 30, 1938 Wenzel et a1 Nov. 19, 1940 Russell Aug. 18, 1953 Kiwi Sept. 26, 1961 

1. SECURING APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AND SECURING A CORD IN ENCIRCLING RELATION TO AN ARTICLE COMPRISING MEMBERS FOR PARTIALLY FORMING CLIPS FROM STRIP MATERIAL AND APPLYING SAID CLIPS TO PARALLEL CORD PORTIONS INCLUDING DIES HAVING PORTIONS FOR FORMING SAID STRIP MATERIAL INTO U-SHAPE AND PORTIONS FOR SEVERING PARTIALLY FORMED CLIPS FROM THE STRIP MATERIAL, AN ADDITIONAL DIE MEMBER FOR CURLING THE FREE ENDS OF THE PARTIALLY FORMED CLIP INTO GRIPPING ENGAGEMENT WITH PARALLEL CORD PORTIONS AND A MEMBER INTERPOSED BETWEEN FIRST DIES AND SAID ADDITIONAL DIE MEMBER FOR POSITIVELY SEPARATING THE CLIP FROM SAID FIRST DIES. 